The 1913 Buffalo nickel (Indian head) is an intriguing coin produced in six variations and three mints. It is mainly made of copper, but everyone knows it as a nickel coin. An Indian is on the obverse and American bison on the reverse, but its official name includes a buffalo.
All things considered, the 1913 Nickel value will depend on its type, the mint mark, and condition. If you are a dedicated collector, you should spend some time to complete this particular date, but it will pay off. All these pieces are beautiful and a valuable part of American history.
1913 Buffalo Nickel History
The US Mint started to produce Buffalo nickels in 1913, but this coin design had some problems from the very beginning. Engraver James Fraser created the original version, but it was canceled after a few months because of the flawed design.
1913 Buffalo nickel (mound type) |
|||
| Location | Year | Minted | Value |
| Philadelphia | 1913 | 30,992,000 | $12 to $22 |
| Philadelphia | 1913 proof | 1,520 | $1,350 |
| San Francisco | 1913 S | 2,105,000 | $50 to $70 |
| Denver | 1913 D | 5,337,000 | $15 to $35 |
| Total | / | 38,435,520 | / |
The words FIVE CENTS were too prominent and started wearing away almost immediately. Therefore, the chief engraver Charles Barber adjusted the design by cutting away the mound’s lower part and smoothing out details in both Indian’s and bison’s images. That way, he prolonged the dies’ life and slowed down coins from wearing.
1913 Buffalo nickel (line type) |
|||
| Location | Year | Minted | Value |
| Philadelphia | 1913 | 29,857,186 | $10 to $20 |
| Philadelphia | 1913 proof | 1,514 | $1,000 |
| San Francisco | 1913 S | 1,209,000 | $370 to $550 |
| Denver | 1913 D | 4,156,000 | $130 to $220 |
| Total | / | 36,223,700 | / |
The Philadelphia mint produced almost equal numbers of both nickel types, but the nickel type 2 mintage in Denver and San Francisco was significantly lower than type 1.
1913 Buffalo nickel |
|
| Face value | $0.05 (5 cents) |
| Compound | 75% copper and 25% nickel |
| Coin weight | 0.17637 ounces (5 g) |
| Coin diameter | 0.83465 inches (21.2 mm) |
| Coin thickness | 0.07677 (1.95 mm) |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Plain |
1913 Buffalo Nickel Types
Most Americans consider the Buffalo nickel the most romantic American coin design ever minted. The first Buffalo nickels came into circulation on February 22, 1913.
You can see the Native American image on the obverse made after three Chiefs, including:
- Sioux Indian Iron Tail
- Kiowa Indian Big Tree
- Cheyenne Indian Two Moons
No one can tell for sure which American bison was the model for the coin reverse. However, many believe it was Black Diamond living in the New York Zoo.
1913 Buffalo nickel (mound type)* |
|||
| Quality | 1913 | 1913 S | 1913 D |
| Good | $12 | $50 | $16 |
| Very good | $16 | $54 | $22 |
| Fine | $17 | $65 | $27 |
| Very fine | $22 | $77 | $37 |
| Extra fine | $27 | $100 | $47 |
| About uncirculated | $38 | $118 | $65 |
| MS 60 | $50 | $144 | $81 |
| MS 63 | $65 | $199 | $89 |
| Proof 65 | $1,268 | / | / |
*by USA Coin book
When trading this particular coin, one of the first things to consider is to check the mint mark below the buffalo legs. There are three possible variations, depending on the mint the nickel was produced:
- Philadelphia – The coin minted there doesn’t have a mint mark
- San Francisco – Such a nickel has an S mint mark
- Denver – This piece has a D mint mark
1913 Buffalo nickel
The Philadelphia mint produced 30,993,520 Buffalo nickels type 1 in 1913. After changing the original design, the same mint made 29,857,186 pieces type 2 without the mint mark.
1913 Buffalo nickel value (line type)* |
|||
| Quality | 1913 | 1913 S | 1913 D |
| Good | $11 | $373 | $131 |
| Very good | $13 | $443 | $165 |
| Fine | $16 | $495 | $193 |
| Very fine | $19 | $545 | $222 |
| Extra fine | $23 | $642 | $257 |
| About uncirculated | $33 | $827 | $286 |
| MS 60 | $44 | $1,003 | $334 |
| MS 63 | $89 | $1,196 | $443 |
| Proof 65 | $1,106 | / | / |
*by USA Coin book
These coins’ value ranges from $10 to $30 for a piece in poor condition, but you should pay hundreds, even thousands of dollars for those in high grades.
1913 proof Buffalo nickel
The Philadelphia mint struck just over 3,000 Buffalo nickels this particular year, including:
- 1,520 proofs type 1
- 1,514 proofs type 2
1913 D Buffalo nickel
The Denver mint produced almost ten million Buffalo nickels this year, including 5,337,000 coins type 1 and 4,156,000 type 2.
1913 Buffalo nickel value* |
||||
| Year | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1913 type 1 | $11 | $16 | $25 | $35 |
| 1913 type 2 | $10 | $14 | $22 | $30 |
| 1913 D type 1 | $15 | $24 | $42 | $60 |
| 1913 D type 2 | $120 | $175 | $235 | $260 |
| 1913 S type 1 | $45 | $60 | $90 | $110 |
| 1913 S type 2 | $340 | $450 | $600 | $750 |
*by JM Bullion
The 1913 D Buffalo nickel type 1 is worth about $10 when its condition is poor. On the other hand, you should set aside at least $90 for type 2. The best pieces in the MS 68 grade can reach $36,000 to $41,400.
1913 S Buffalo nickel
The lowest number of 1913 Buffalo nickels was minted in San Francisco. This mint produced 2,105,000 coins type 1 and only 1,209,000 pieces type 2.
1913 Buffalo nickel value |
||||
| Year | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1913 type 1 | $7 | $10 | $16 | $24 |
| 1913 type 2 | $7.4 | $13 | $15 | $23 |
| 1913 S type 1 | $31 | $38 | $51 | $86 |
| 1913 S type 2 | $163 | $234 | $259 | $466 |
| 1913 D type 1 | $11 | $15 | $26 | $44 |
| 1913 D type 2 | $94 | $116 | $153 | $167 |
*by CoinStudy
Consequently, these coins’ prices are higher than others. The coin type 1 will cost you $30 to $85, while scarce type 2 is worth at least $160 to $450. However, those in high grades may cost you over $20,000.
1913 Buffalo Nickel Rarity and Key Date
The 1913 S Buffalo nickel type 2 is scarce and typically costs more than the other five variations minted this year. The one in MS 67 grade can be worth an impressive $30,000 to $36,000.
1913 Buffalo Nickel Grading
Uncirculated – An uncirculated 1913 Buffalo nickel is flawless without any surface scratches. Its luster and beauty are intact without any signs of wear. If the high points, like the buffalo front leg and Indian’s cheek, are without any possible change, you have got a jackpot.
1934 Buffalo nickel value* |
||
| Quality | 1913 type 1 | 1913 type 2 |
| Good | $9.5 to $13 | $9.5 to $13.8 |
| Very good | $12 to $15.4 | $13.5 to $19.4 |
| Fine | $13.5 to $17.8 | $17.5 to $21 |
| Very fine | $16.2 to $24.3 | $18.9 to $24.3 |
| Extra fine | $23 to $29 | $21.6 to $27.5 |
| AU | $25.6 to $35.6 | $24.3 to $35.6 |
| MS 60 | $32.4 to $40.5 | $33.7 to $40.5 |
| MS 61 | $40.5 to $48.6 | $40.5 to $48.6 |
| MS 62 | $43.2 to $54 | $43.2 to $52 |
| MS 63 | $54 to $68 | $61 to $73 |
| MS 64 | $81 to $101 | $130 to $156 |
| MS 65 | $150 to $176 | $338 to $389 |
| MS 66 | $228 to $292 | $715 to $858 |
| MS 67 | $812 to $960 | $3,880 to $4,750 |
| MS 68 | $7,880 to $15,600 | / |
*by Greysheet
Extra fine – This coin spent some time in circulation, so friction caused a slight loss of details. You will see first signs of wear on the Indian’s braid and buffalo’s upper front leg. However, this piece is still beautiful and desirable among collectors.
Fine – This nickel is typically worn out with light scratching on both sides. However, the imagery and inscriptions will be visible, and the whole coin is pleasing enough for most collectors.
1934 Buffalo nickel value* |
||||
| Quality | 1913 S type 1 | 1913 S type 2 | 1913 D type 1 | 1913 D type 2 |
| Good | $45.9 to $57 | $202 to $227 | $16.2 to $21.9 | $128 to $168 |
| Very good | $48.6 to $62 | $273 to $351 | $20.2 to $24.3 | $156 to $192 |
| Fine | $53 to $66 | $358 to $448 | $21 to $29 | $162 to $198 |
| Very fine | $62 to $81 | $422 to $538 | $31 to $40.5 | $168 to $226 |
| Extra fine | $74 to $97 | $494 to $628 | $42 to $50 | $208 to $254 |
| AU | $97 to $133 | $598 to $897 | $57 to $73 | $234 to $300 |
| MS 60 | $122 to $140 | $878 to $994 | $63 to $76 | $286 to $329 |
| MS 61 | $128 to $148 | $910 to $1,030 | $68 to $81 | $292 to $336 |
| MS 62 | $143 to $182 | $992 to $1,140 | $72 to $86 | $325 to $374 |
| MS 63 | $169 to $208 | $1,220 to $1,370 | $88 to $108 | $390 to $455 |
| MS 64 | $286 to $338 | $1,580 to $1,810 | $136 to $164 | $546 to $650 |
| MS 65 | $852 to $960 | $2,690 to $3,090 | $280 to $325 | $1,180 to $1,300 |
| MS 66 | $1,250 to $1,420 | $4,380 to $5,250 | $533 to $682 | $2,000 to $2,310 |
| MS 67 | $5,500 to $7,500 | $30,000 to $36,000 | $1,750 to $2,250 | $13,800 to $15,900 |
| MS 68 | $18,000 to $20,700 | / | / | $36,000 to $41,400 |
*by Greysheet
Good – Unfortunately, this coin spent years in circulation so that you can notice numerous signs of wear. Typically, numbers merging is apparent, and crucial design details are flattened, but the date is still readable.
Summary
The US Mint produced two Buffalo nickel types in 1913, the first year of minting this particular coin. After a few months, the original design was replaced because it quickly started wearing off. The revised type 2 got the inscription FIVE CENTS inside a recessed area, prolonging its time in circulation without fast damage.
